Question

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Biomass refers to the quantity or weight of living matter per unit area per unit time and is represented in terms of dry weight. Reason (R): Plant and animal biomass may be measured and represented separately. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
• C. A is true but R is false.
• D. A is false but R is true.

Hint:

\[ \boxed{ \begin{aligned} \text{Biomass} &\rightarrow \text{Dry Weight of Living Matter}, \text{Measurement} &\rightarrow \text{Plant and Animal Biomass Separately}. \end{aligned} } \] Mnemonic: “Biomass = Dry Mass of Living Organisms.”

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: Biomass is the total mass of living organisms present per unit area at a given time and is generally expressed as dry weight. Plant and animal biomass can indeed be measured separately, but this fact does not explain the definition of biomass.

Step 1: Evaluate Assertion (A). \[ \boxed{\text{Assertion (A) is True}} \]

Step 2: Evaluate Reason (R). Plant and animal biomass are commonly estimated separately. \[ \boxed{\text{Reason (R) is True}} \]

Step 3: Relation between A and R. The reason is true but does not explain the assertion. \[ \boxed{\text{(B)}} \]